Temple City Council proposes new positions for economic and permit management

The City Council Workshop Meeting held on July 11, 2025, in Temple, Texas, focused on enhancing the city's development services and economic growth strategies. Key discussions revolved around the need for additional resources to manage the increasing volume of permits and inspections, particularly in the wake of storm recovery efforts.

City officials highlighted the necessity of expanding the development services team to improve efficiency in processing permits and conducting inspections. Recommendations included hiring a permit tech team leader and additional plan reviewers to streamline operations. The proposed structure would consist of three plan reviewers, a team leader, and eight building inspectors, supported by a service delivery coordinator to manage scheduling and workload distribution effectively.

Another significant topic was the role of the Temple Economic Development Corporation (EDC) in fostering economic growth. While the EDC has been successful in marketing the community and attracting industrial development, city officials expressed the need for dedicated personnel to manage economic development agreements and facilitate project completion. Currently, multiple city staff members are handling these responsibilities, which has led to concerns about efficiency and project management.

The discussion also touched on the lack of focus on small business development within the city's economic strategy. Officials proposed the creation of a new office to support small businesses, suggesting the establishment of a business navigator position to assist startups and smaller projects through the development process. This initiative aims to ensure that both large and small projects receive adequate attention and support, preventing them from becoming lost in the system.

In conclusion, the meeting underscored the city's commitment to managing growth effectively while addressing the needs of both large industrial projects and small businesses. The proposed changes aim to enhance the city's capacity to support economic development and ensure a thriving local economy. Further steps will be taken to implement these recommendations and improve service delivery in Temple.